Section 1: Academic Achievement - National Center for School ...

is in its second year, and I provide pull-out intervention services for small groups of five
students who are in grades 2-4.
How did I get started?
I already understood the concept of “participatory action research,” so I began reflecting
about my job as bilingual Title Math teacher through journaling and having little or no
direction in my new position, journaling allowed me to sort things through, and my journal
became a sanctuary for me. My next step was to observe the school and students because
those observations would help me formulate the question that would serve as the focus for the
first cycle of research and to take notice of the multiple factors that contribute to the school
culture.
Since this was my second year participating in an ambitious action research project, I
prepared myself for feeling uneasy about not having a set direction. PAR is by nature an
“organic” process that does not have a pre-set direction; rather it is guided by observation,
action, more observation, and more action. In spite of my knowledge and experience, I still
felt anxious about the process and overwhelmed with the work that is inevitable when starting
a new job.
Surprisingly, I found reflecting and observing helpful instead of burdensome. The action
research project kept me focused with a great deal to learn and little time to learn it compared
to a classroom teacher, I had fewer variables competing for my attention. I focused on one
subject, math, and taught five ability-grouped students for 45 minutes per day. Yet, I was also
faced with mastering one subject, while learning and shaping a new program, building
relationships with students and teachers, and finding time to coach teachers and instruct
students.
Cycle One
Editor Note: The names of the students were changed and identifiable information removed to ensure
confidentiality.
As I documented my journey, I articulated several difficulties early in the process. First, I
shared my job with a woman who started the first Title Math program at our school just last
Action Research to Study Homelessness and High Mobility in School Communities 67